Chapter 464: Fated To The Alpha (Complete Fated Series collection)
Andrei
“Kat, I'm here! I'm okay sis” I start, “But Sage … She's been taken by Satish's Reaper Wolves. I know where she is, they've taken her into the old mining tunnels.”
I explain to her about the were-bears' unexpected assistance.
As I speak, I notice the were-bears listening intently. When I mention the reaper wolves, they look at each other, eventually midway through my conversation with Kat, Chief interjects, “Did you say reaper wolves?!”
I nod, and Kat, sensing the gravity of the situation, opens the mind-link to include Dominic, Kyan, Jonah and her mates.
“If you are going after Reaper Wolves, we are coming with you!” Chief states. My brows furrow at the growl in his voice as he mentions them, the way his eyes flicker, and how he seems to grow in size. I nod to him because we'll need all the help we can get.
I relay our plan to head to the mining tunnels. The were-bears, after a brief discussion among themselves.
“Don't you go in there alone, Andrei!”
“I have the were-bears with me,” I tell Kat when Kyan adds.
“Were-bears?! Tell him, if they want the curse broken, they need to help us with the Reaper Wolves!” I relay that to Chief, who nods once as they push me along.
“We passed the mines, we know a shortcut,” Chief tells me and I nod, trying to focus on the mindlink and what Chief is saying as we start walking through thick shrub. When we come to a road, I cross it, but the were-bears keep walking along before coming to the bend. “Where are you going?!”
“It's man-made. We told you already, we can't go where humans have been,” Chief tells me. “So we go under it. Can't cross it,” he suddenly disappears and one by one they all do, seeming to fall into the earth.
“Fuck! Don't lose them!” Donnie urges, and I rush after them, trying to see where they went. When the thick grass under my feet suddenly gives way and I shriek as I slide down the tunnel, appearing on the other side of the road and running into the back of one of Chief's men.
“This is some Jungle Book shit, this is!” Donnie grumbles.
“Don't you enter that mine until we get there, Andrei! I have watched you die once tonight! Not again!!” Kat warns.
“No promises, but get here fast,” I tell her before cutting the link when I see Chief and his men shift. I waste no time stripping my clothes off, and Donnie shifts instantly, grabbing my jeans in his mouth before we chase after them.
The journey to the mining tunnels takes about an hour. The old structure looms before us, a relic of an old coal mine, its entrance dark and foreboding. We scout the area cautiously, aware that Reaper Wolves are probably on guard somewhere or there might be cameras.
We stop by the old mine and Chief growls while I have a question burning in my mind. “We need to lure them out! We can not enter!” Chief growls, stalking the edge of the forest, and I curse under my breath.
“So what happens when the curse is broken? Where will you go?”
The Chief gives a melancholic smile. “We'll finally be free.”
“Free? But isn't the forest gone? Your home …”
He chuckles softly, a sound filled with a hint of amusement. “On Andrei, you misunderstand. When I say 'home', I mean we'll finally be free to die.”
His words hit me like a physical blow. The finality and the acceptance in his voice, speaks of a lifetime of confinement and yearning for release.
I nod once, looking at the warehouse. “So now what?” I mutter, knowing the were-bears can't enter. Chief looks around. “We wait for your people, then lure them out,” he tells me, yet I can tell he wants nothing more than to rip through the place. They all do as they stand at the edge of the dirt, eyes watching, and chests rising and falling heavily.
“Exactly how are you linked to them again?” I ask them and Chief looks at me, his teeth long with venom dripping from them and his eyes have taken on a different color, no longer like that of a bear but something far more sinister.
“Don't worry, we are only toxic to them. I could bite you and nothing would happen to you. We were created for one purpose, and tonight we will be seeing that purpose through!” he tells me, casting his gaze back to the mine.
“I'm tired, and I can't wait to see their faces again,” he murmurs, and the men with him all nod.
“Whose faces?” I ask.
“Our families. They say when you die, your entire life flashes before your eyes. I hope that is true, I want to see the faces of my wife and children again,” he tells me and I swallow, not knowing what to say. I grip his shoulder and he nods.
“Our families… they are the echoes of our past and the promise of our future,” I reply, my voice steady despite the uncertainty that lies ahead.
Chief nods solemnly, his eyes reflecting a depth of sorrow only centuries can carve. “When you’ve lived as long as I have, Andrei, every memory becomes a treasure. Tonight, we reclaim a piece of what was lost.”
I understand his longing, the ache for a home that exists only in memories. “Home is where the heart is, Chief,” I say, trying to offer some solace.
“Yes. And my home… it died with them, long ago. Tonight, we go home,” he says, his voice laced with a blend of sadness and resolve.
I nod, feeling the weight of his words. “Then let’s get you home,” I affirm, turning my gaze toward the mines.
As we approach, Chief hesitates. “But your family? They're not here yet!”
I nod, a plan forming in my mind. “Nothing wrong with picking them off. We just need to draw their attention.” I step forward, leaving the safety of the shadows.
The crunch of gravel beneath my feet feels like a declaration of war as I move toward the warehouse. The Reaper Wolves emerge from the darkness, their eyes glinting with predatory intent. I maintain my calm, pretending not to notice their approach.
Glancing back, I see the were-bears merge with the night, their presence almost ethereal. A surge of adrenaline courses through me, and Donnie’s presence in my mind grows stronger. “I love a good game of cat and mouse,” he growls, echoing my own anticipation.
The Reaper Wolves edge closer, unaware of the trap we’re setting. In a sudden burst of motion, I shift, my body contorting as I give Donnie control. The transformation is swift, a seamless blend of man turning to beast as Donnie takes over.
I dart toward the forest, the Reaper Wolves hot on my heels. Their howls fill the night air, but they’re too late to realize the deception. The were-bears, hidden in the shadows, spring their ambush.
The forest erupts into chaos, the snarls and growls of battle filling the air. I weave through the trees, the thrill of the hunt coursing through my veins. The Reaper Wolves, now caught between us and the were-bears, scramble in confusion.
“We’ve got them now,” Donnie exults. More Reaper Wolves pour out of the warehouse, drawn by the sounds of their friends in distress.
“Let's see how long it takes for them to pick up on our little game,” Donnie says as more come running from the warehouse, hearing their friends’ screams.